Absolute Bruisers! 2025 6A Bigs who will dominate the paint!

I was once told that a team with really good bigs is a championship team. In the 6A classification, that should not be any different. These bigs in the 2025 class are still coasting under the radar, but in their last year of high school basketball, expect these players to be fruitful in 2024/25.    It is hard to do anything against [player_tooltip player_id='875504' first='Mariyah' last='Moss'] in the paint. Moss takes up a lot of space and it is frustrating for the opposition. I would like to see Moss become more involved in Fayetteville's offense, but her post presence is enough for any team to give her an offer.   For every team, having a big that plays well on defense in the post is imperative, and the Lady Bulldogs have that in Moss. She blocks shots very well, but also contorts them better than other bigs in the classification. Her perimeter defense is also solid, actually better than other bigs. She stays low in her defensive stance and moves her feet well laterally. Quick guards can get her off balance slightly, but she is quick enough herself to recover and contest their shots. Plus, Moss is not usually the last one down the floor on defense on a fastbreak (which you see in a lot of bigs). She will then put herself in a great position to contest a shot or smack it to the stands.   On offense, Moss is comfortable shooting with both hands. If she was given the ball more with her back to the basket, I think she would be unstoppable. In addition to this, I believe she has the ability to handle the ball, so do not be surprised if she can use that to her advantage and make plays along the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='875504' first='Mariyah' last='Moss'] is the defensive anchor that every team needs, and Fayetteville is lucky to have her. All she needs is a higher usage rate and Moss can very well be the best big in 6A.     [player_tooltip player_id='1056386' first='Cherish' last='Blackmon'] is a name that should not be under-the-radar. Blackmon has true D1 potential, whether that is in basketball, or track and field. Blackmon is considered the best in the state at the triple jump event, and her athleticism translates for both sports.   Blackmon's game is more advanced than other high school power forwards. She handles the ball very well on the fastbreak and can finish over everyone with her impressive leaping ability. Plus, she is ridiculously fast! She can easily outrun anyone on the fastbreak. If she gets a full head of steam on the way to the basket, the defense might as well just move out of the way.   Blackmon is also a tough defender. She uses her athleticism so well in order to stay in front of the opposition and to swat shots away.   If college coaches are reading this, offer [player_tooltip player_id='1056386' first='Cherish' last='Blackmon'] now! Her athleticism is enough to warrant her an offer, but throw in her defensive expertise and her offensive potential, and she is the total package. She averaged about 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 and a half blocks per game as a junior on a loaded Fort Smith Northside roster. Expect those numbers to go up with a big senior season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1049480' first='Sybell' last='Solis'] is a very solid defender. She is another one of those players that you do not want to shoot over in the painted area. She may be slightly undersized compared to other centers, but she has a long reach and has an impressive defensive IQ that she uses to her advantage.   Most basketball players try to go for blocks, it is a natural thing to do. However, a lot of players commit fouls this way. [player_tooltip player_id='1049480' first='Sybell' last='Solis'] is very patient and smart on defense. Instead of attempting to swat at a shot, she stands straight up and raises her hands straight up, and I bet that makes her coaches proud. Most of the time, she is able to contest a shot well, but with her impressive standing reach, she is able to record some blocks. Solis also has very active hands, and she can pick up loose balls and steals very easily.   [player_tooltip player_id='1049480' first='Sybell' last='Solis'] is an all-around solid defender that everyone should want. Her offensive game will come along, but her defense is solid and is too good to pass up on. Regardless, expect a big season for Solis and the Lady Mounties in 2024/25.     This list is not just about Fayetteville, but there are a lot of Lady Bulldogs that are deserving to be on this list. One of them is Ty'shelle Harris. Harris is of course, well under the radar, but she is in store for a big senior campaign.   Harris has probably been at her best during the AAU season with J Squad. At the Run 4 Roses event this past summer, Harris was all over the floor! It did not matter which side of the ball, she was there for every rebound, every fastbreak, and every loose ball.   On defense, Harris is great at standing her ground and forcing her opponents to pass away from her. She is also a stellar shot blocker, even blocking a few floaters. Her defensive rebounding is also impressive, as she makes sure nobody is grabbing the rebound except her. Harris also has very active hands and will take every steal to the other end and score.   On offense, the glass is still all hers. She grabs every rebound and must have had a dozen second-chance points every game. Harris is also a very tough finisher inside. She is the definition of a bruiser, and teams want that in a do-it-all forward.   Expect Ty'shelle Harris to receive more playing time this season, and colleges should be knocking on her door sooner rather than later.    Good bigs are hard to find in high school girls basketball, but these players are sure to have huge impacts this season. If you like to drive to the basket, good luck trying to finish over these 2025 6A bruisers. On to the 5A for me! My next article will focus on 2025 5A guards who are expected to impress in 2024/25, so be on the lookout for that one!

I was once told that a team with really good bigs is a championship team. In the 6A classification, that should not be any different. These bigs in the 2025 class are still coasting under the radar, but in their last year of high school basketball, expect these players to be fruitful in 2024/25.